Today’s Scripture Treasure: James 1:26 (NLT).

Welcome to another edition of the LKP Treasure Trove

Spreading rumors about people we know or don’t know isn’t something we should do. Our tongues are like sharp weapons that can hurt people. Scripture warns us to not behave this way, so this is actually a law we are to live by. But like everything you eventually become really good at, controlling the tongue takes a lot of practice. In today’s story, a Hebrew boy named Caleb will learn that the stories he likes to repeat amount to gossip, which he has to stop.

Control Your Tongue

The rest of the family had gone off to explore the park grounds while Dad and Caleb manned the grill. Caleb had looked forward to this family cookout for weeks because he knew how much fun having his cousin Jason around would be. Now that he finally had a moment away from his favorite cousin, all Caleb could do was stare off into the distance and smile as he thought about all the things Jason had told him.

Dad flipped another burger and glanced over at his son. “What are you smirking about?” he asked.

Caleb snapped out of his thoughts and said, “Oh, it’s just something Jason told me. He’s been telling me all kinds of crazy stories.”

Dad closed the grill lid as burgers and hot dogs sizzled and he set down the spatula. “Are these the same stories you were telling your little sister over by the pond yesterday?”

Caleb chuckled and nodded. “I was also thinking of telling mom when she gets back from her walk.”

Dad frowned and said, “You know Jason has a reputation for saying things he shouldn’t. What has he been telling you?”

Caleb furrowed his brow and said, “Nothing serious dad. He told me this one story about his gym teacher who was fired for having liquor in his office. And when his next-door neighbor lost his house, all his furniture sat out on his lawn for two days, getting soaked in the rain.” Caleb laughed at that last part. “And he said how Aunt Mavis can’t stand Uncle Arthur’s—”

“That’s enough!” Dad said sternly. “You have no idea how harmful your words are. You’re actually gossiping. And you know the Torah, Caleb. Leviticus 19 verse 16 says ‘Do not spread slanderous gossip among your people.’ I personally know Coach Davis. He wasn’t fired for anything. He got a better job offer in the Midwest and moved his family out there for a better life. But even if what Jason said was true that still doesn’t make it right.”

Caleb covered his mouth in shame and a look of worry hung over his face.

Dad continued: “I’ll have a talk with Jason when he gets back, but you have to learn to control your tongue, Caleb, otherwise your worship of Elohim is worthless.”

Caleb hung his head. “I just read that in the book of James last week. I’m sorry dad. I’ll stop spreading gossip from now on.”

NOW, WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Do you find yourself saying things about people you ought not? When we spread gossip it harms people, and we are actually breaking an important commandment found in Leviticus 19:16. Controlling the tongue is one of the most important actions we can take when it comes to fulfilling the will of Yah. And today’s Scripture Treasure verse is the foundation of that principle. So if you want your service and worship of Yah to count, learn to control what you say. Your words should be helpful, not harmful.

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Like everything you eventually become really good at, controlling the tongue (which we're commanded to do in Scripture) takes a lot of practice. In today’s story, young Caleb will learn that the stories he likes to repeat amount to gossip, which he has to stop.